The parent company IAG chief executive told reporters that he saw fuel prices as “a challenge” to the industry in the months to come as its first financial results were published.

He added that the two airlines would take a wait-and-see approach to the situation, as oil-rich Libya sinks into effective civil war.

He said: “We are keeping the situation under review and we will adjust the fuel surcharge if we think it’s necessary.

”There has been an increase in the volatility of the fuel prices over the last few weeks. It is likely that increases will be seen in the market and this will affect all airlines and will be a challenge to the industry.”